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Seeking Wisdom and Guidance from Godly Counselors

The concept of seeking wisdom and guidance from godly counselors is deeply rooted in biblical tradition, emphasizing both divine and human sources of counsel. The book of Proverbs frequently highlights the value of instruction and wise counsel, stating, "let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel" [2]. This wisdom is not merely human insight but is often presented as originating from God himself. Proverbs 8:14 declares, "I have counsel and wisdom: I am understanding, and I have strength," a passage that John Gill interprets as referring to Christ, the "Wisdom of God," upon whom rests the "Spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel, and of might" [3, 17].

The Bible presents various forms of counsel, ranging from direct divine guidance to the advice of trusted individuals. In the Old Testament, God provided counsel through figures like Moses, whom He instructed to "hear now my voice, (I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee) be thou for the people to Godwarde, and report thou the causes unto God" [6]. The Urim and Thummim, placed in the breastplate of the high priest, served as a means for consulting God, with instances recorded in Judges and 1 Samuel [8]. However, this method was not always effective, as sometimes "no answer by, in consequence of the sin of those consulting" was given [8]. The Urim and Thummim are seen as illustrative of "the light and perfection of Christ, the true high priest" [8].

The Psalms also speak of divine counsel, with the psalmist proclaiming, "I will praise the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reines also teach me in the nightes" [4]. This suggests an internal, divinely inspired guidance. Tyndale House notes that the godly base their counsel on the Lord's wisdom [15].

Beyond direct divine revelation, the Old Testament stresses the importance of human counselors. An adviser is defined as a "counsellor" in passages like Proverbs 11:14 and 15:22, and the term can also refer to a king's state counselor [7]. The prophet Isaiah refers to the Messiah as a "Counsellor" [7]. However, Isaiah also warns against relying on ungodly counsel, admonishing those who "hast been wearied in the multitude of thy counsels, Stand up, I pray thee, and save thee, Let the charmers of the heavens, Those looking on the stars, Those teaching concerning the months, From those things that come on thee!" [1]. This highlights a distinction between seeking counsel from God and His appointed sources versus relying on pagan or superstitious practices.

In the New Testament, the concept of divine counsel is further developed with the promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells his disciples, "I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever" [5]. This "Counselor" is the Holy Spirit, who guides believers into truth. John Gill interprets Christ as the ultimate "Counsellor," fit for the role due to his divine wisdom and his role in the "council of peace from everlasting" [16]. Christ's counsel is offered through his word and ministers, urging people to seek him for "grace, life, and salvation; for pardon, peace, and righteousness; for spiritual light and knowledge, and every supply of grace" [16].

The book of Proverbs, in particular, serves as a foundational text for understanding the value of human counsel. It frequently contrasts the wise, who seek and receive instruction, with the foolish, who reject it. John Gill, commenting on Proverbs 19:20, advises to "Hear counsel, and receive instruction,.... Of parents, masters, and ministers; especially the counsel and instruction of Wisdom, of Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, the wonderful Counsellor; and of his Gospel and of the Scriptures, which are able to make a man wise unto salvation" [9]. The purpose of this is "that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end," suggesting that heeding wise counsel leads to a life lived in preparation for eternity [9].

The fear of the Lord is presented as a crucial element in discerning good counsel. Tyndale House notes that "a healthy fear for the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace" [14]. This fear of the Lord is contrasted with the fear of people, which can lead to destruction [12]. Isaiah 8:13 exhorts the prophet to "fear nothing except the Lord" [13]. When individuals fear people, the Lord can become a "trap," but for those who fear the Lord, "he becomes a sanctuary; their salvation is assured" [12]. This implies that true wisdom and effective counsel are rooted in a proper reverence for God, which frees one from the anxieties and misguided advice that stem from human fears.

The importance of seeking counsel "betimes" or early is also emphasized. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, commenting on Job 8:5, suggest making seeking God "the first and chief anxiety" [10]. This proactive approach to seeking divine guidance and wise counsel is presented as a path to wisdom and a safeguard against error.

The Bible also acknowledges the communal aspect of counsel. While individual guidance from God is vital, the fellowship of believers and trusted friends can also provide "sweet counsel" [11]. John Gill, in his commentary on Psalms 55:13, notes that "hearty counsel is one branch of friendship, and which greatly sweetens it" [11]. However, he distinguishes this from religious matters, where "the testimonies of the Lord were David's counsellors" [11]. This suggests that while human counsel is valuable in civil and personal matters, ultimate spiritual guidance comes from God's word.

Sources

  1. Isaiah “Isaiah 47:13 (YLT) — Thou hast been wearied in the multitude of thy counsels, Stand up, I pray thee, and save thee, Let the charmers of the heavens, Those looking on the stars, Those teaching concerning the months, From those things that come on thee!”
  2. Proverbs “Proverbs 1:5 (BSB) — let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel”
  3. Proverbs “Proverbs 8:14 (Geneva1599) — I haue counsell and wisedome: I am vnderstanding, and I haue strength.”
  4. Psalms “Psalms 16:7 (Geneva1599) — I wil prayse the Lord, who hath giuen me counsell: my reines also teach me in the nightes.”
  5. John “I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever,— -- John 14:16”
  6. Exodus “Exodus 18:19 (Geneva1599) — Heare nowe my voyce, (I will giue thee counsell, and God shalbe with thee) be thou for the people to Godwarde, and report thou the causes vnto God,”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Counsellor — An adviser (Prov. 11:14; 15:22), a king's state counsellor (2 Sam. 15:12). Used once of the Messiah (Isa. 9:6). In Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50, the word probably means a member of the Jewish Sanhedrim.”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Urim and Thummin — Placed in the breastplate of the high priest -- Ex 28:30; Le 8:8. God to be consulted by -- Nu 27:21. Instances of consulting God by -- Jdj 1:1; 20:18,28; 1Sa 23:9-11; 30:7,8. Sometimes no answer by, in consequence of the sin of those consulting -- 1Sa 28:6. Were wanting in the second temple -- Ezr 2:63; Ne 7:65. Illustrative of the light and perfection of Christ, the true high priest -- De 33:8; Joh 1:4,9,17; Col 2:3.”
  9. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 19:20: Hear counsel, and receive instruction,.... Of parents, masters, and ministers; especially the counsel and instruction of Wisdom, of Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, the wonderful Counsellor; and of his Gospel and of the Scriptures, which are able to make a man wise unto salvation; that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end; in the latter end of life, at death; that then it may appear a man has been so wise as to be concerned for a future state, for the good of his soul in another world; by listening to the counsel and instruction of Christ, in his word; by lookin”
  10. Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 8:5: seek unto God betimes--early. Make it the first and chief anxiety (Psa 78:34; Hos 5:15; Isa 26:9; Pro 8:17; Pro 13:24).”
  11. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 55:13: We took sweet counsel together,.... Not in religious matters; for in these the testimonies of the Lord were David's counsellors, Psa 119:24; but in civil things: hearty counsel is one branch of friendship, and which greatly sweetens it, Pro 27:9; as this may be applied to Christ and Judas, it may denote the mutual delight and pleasure they had, the one in communicating, the other in receiving a notional knowledge of the Gospel, and the mysteries of it, which are the counsel of God, Act 20:27; for if hearers may hear the word gladly, as Herod did, and receive it with ”
  12. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 8:11: 8:11-15 This text reveals the heart of Isaiah’s message. The issue was fear of the Lord versus fear of people (see 7:9; 8:6). When an individual fears people, the Lord becomes a trap and destruction is certain (cp. Prov 29:25; see “Fearing People” Theme Note). For those who fear the Lord, he becomes a sanctuary; their salvation is assured.”
  13. 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 3:14: 3:14-15 or be afraid of their threats: See Isa 8:13, where God exhorts the prophet to fear nothing except the Lord. • worship Christ as Lord: By fearing Christ, they will be free from fear of their human persecutors.”
  14. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 15:16: 15:16 A healthy fear for the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace. • Better to have little: See also 16:8.”
  15. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 37:30: 37:30 The godly base their counsel on the Lord’s wisdom.”
  16. Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 3:16: I counsel thee,.... Christ is a Counsellor, and is every way fit to be one, for he is the all wise God, the Ancient of days, and the Father of his people, and, as Mediator, the Wisdom of God; and he was concerned in the council of peace from everlasting; and when he was here on earth he gave counsel in person, and now he gives it by his Spirit, and by his word and ministers; and the substance of it is, to come to him for grace, life, and salvation; for pardon, peace, and righteousness; for spiritual light and knowledge, and every supply of grace; and his advice is”
  17. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 8:14: Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom,.... The words and sentiments in this and the following clause are the same with those in Job 12:13; and scent to be taken from thence, which are spoken of God; and being here applied to Wisdom, show that a divine Person is meant; and are very applicable to him who the Wisdom of God, and the power of God; and on whom rests the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel, and of might, and of the fear of the Lord, Co1 1:24. "Counsel" belongs to him, and is used and exercised by him, as concerned with the Father and Spirit, both in”
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